Friday, November 14, 2014

Imagine if you were a historian that could travel back in time to observe particular time periods. Imagine getting stuck there for some unknown reason...

It's not a new idea, and after reading and watching Doctor Who, there are many examples of time travelling gone wrong, and of the sometimes terrifying consequences.

I read the first half of this dynamic duo a few years back as part of a selection of women authors who have won Nebula Awards. I loved it until I got to the end, when I thought,"What's going on here, isn't she cutting it a bit close?" The book begins with a lot of almost harried activity...there is just so much going on, and underlying is this tension and an uneasy sense that things are tragically going to go to pot, the suspense is just building up with no real release. Anyone who's read my blog knows just how annoyed I get when I make these discoveries (I hate to read a book and then have to wait for the sequel), but I take all the blame because I didn't do the research. I was left hanging after finishing Blackout! I have done the research now. As a matter of fact I have bought several of Connie Willis' books in preparation for reading this pair, and it works to my advantage because in another of her books Firewatch (a collection of short stories) is one about this particular universe, so it was with a smug feeling that I began the books, first with the short story Firewatch and then on to Blackout and finishing up with All Clear.

Naturally I chose November to read this as during this month I usually read someting that has some relation to the World Wars, and these two did not disappoint. I got an unusual education about an era in our history that is already so well documented. It was a true homage to the English people, those folks who lived through the Blitz and afterward. If you want to step in to history, this is a good way to do it. I loved the books from beginning to end, and since there is over 1100 pages, there's a lot to love.
I look forward to reading more of Connie Willis' books as these two were so well researched and written, I can understand why she has won so many awards for her genre.